How do I propose a new GE course? (or revise and propose an existing course for GE credit?)

Consult with your Department Chair and with the appropriate GE Area Chair in the initial planning stages.  Then fill out the Course Description Form.  If you need help, call x62228 or email the GE Office.    

What is the GE course approval process?

See the GE Deadlines and Review Process.  

What do the GE committees look for in reviewing my course proposal?

The GE Committees are concerned primarily with Section III (Syllabus) of the Course Description Form.  To complete this section, you will need to refer to the General Education Program Standards approved in 1998.  This Standards document explains the mission of the GE program and lists all the educational objectives and criteria by GE area.

In reviewing your course proposal, the GE Committees will be looking to see whether your course will make a valuable contribution to the GE program.  Is your course of high quality, with depth and rigor?  Is your course truly a general education course of benefit to students outside the major?  Is it accessible to students from many different majors and does it offer real breadth of knowledge?  To answer these questions, the GE Committees will be looking to see if your course fulfills the Educational Objectives and Criteria specified for its particular GE Area (e.g., B2, C4).  (Proposals for upper-division GE courses should be specific about how they build on the knowledge gained from lower-division GE courses in the same GE Area.)

What is the difference between course educational objectives and the GE Educational Objectives and Criteria to be listed in Section III A. of the Course Description Form?

Course educational objectives specify intended learning outcomes for the course, indicating what students should know or be able to do after successfully completing the course.  The GE Educational Objectives and Criteria specify desired learning outcomes appropriate to the GE Program.  The educational objectives you list should include (but certainly aren't limited to) the GE Educational Objectives and Criteria.  The GE Committees will be looking to see if your course fulfills the Educational Objectives and Criteria specified for the particular GE area.

Are there any sample GE course proposals available for reference? 

See Sample GE Course Proposals in PDF format.  The GE Office also has hard copies of all GE course proposals submitted for the GE 2001 program, and we can send you what you need through campus mail.

How do I work with the Course Description Form to write my GE proposal?

You can download the Word version of the Course Description Form, which is in a fill-in format where you tab to the different sections.  However, because this Form does not enable you to spell check or perform other functions, you might find it easier to write your proposal in your own version of Word, and then cut and paste it into the Form.  Doing so will ensure a cleaner and more accurate copy.  

I am interested in proposing a class in Area D1.  What is 40404?

At Cal Poly, the CSU Guidelines for the 40404 Requirements in United States History, Constitution and American Ideals have been incorporated into Area D1: The American Experience.  40404 requires the "comprehensive study of American history and American government including the historical development of American institutions and ideals, the Constitution of the United States and the operations of representative democratic government under that Constitution, and the processes of state and local government."  Any course in this area should make sure that these topics are clearly and adequately addressed in the course proposal.

I am interested in proposing an upper-division course in Area D.  The criteria seem somewhat vague.  Are there specific things that I need to address?

Yes.  It is very important that the links with lower-division areas be made explicit.  Although it is not necessary to make connections with specific courses, it is important to connect to the learning objectives and criteria of at least two relevant lower-division areas.  It is highly recommended that when addressing the D5 objectives and criteria, a careful review of the lower-division and overall area objectives also be taken into account and referred to when appropriate.

 What are writing-intensive courses?

All courses in Area D5 are writing intensive.  In writing-intensive courses, at least 50% of the grade must be based on written work, and students must be required to write a minimum of 3000 words.  ("3000 words" is the equivalent of about 12 double-spaced, typed pages of writing.)  Writing assignments should be spread across the quarter so that students receive feedback on their writing throughout the course.

Why do I need to consult the GE Area Chair early?

The GE Area Chairs need a reasonable amount of time to provide you with assistance in developing a successful course proposal.  Email exchanges, phone calls, and personal meetings may be necessary to resolve questions and concerns. 

How is the regular curriculum review related to the GE review?

GE course proposals must go through the regular curriculum review (Department, College, and Senate Curriculum Committees) and through a GE review (GE Area Committee and Governance Committee).  Once your Department Chair or your Department Curriculum Committee Chair indicates that your GE course proposal has been reviewed and endorsed, it goes to both the College Curriculum Committee and to the GE Committee at the same time.  These two committees look for different things, with the GE Committee reviewing your course to see if it meets the GE educational objectives and criteria.  If it does, your course will be given "conditional GE approval."  Most courses given conditional GE approval will also be given "final GE approval."  (The only exceptions are in rare cases when the College Curriculum Committee makes revisions in the course proposal that result in its no longer meeting the GE educational objectives or criteria.)